Ghana arrests seven in crackdown on 'money bouquets'

Ghanaian authorities have arrested seven women accused of making decorative bouquets and cakes from banknotes, as the central bank intensifies a crackdown on what it says is misuse of the country's currency.

The Bank of Ghana, working with police, arrested the suspects at several locations in Accra on Monday for allegedly making the increasingly popular gifts, typically presented at birthdays, weddings and graduation ceremonies.

The Bank of Ghana said in a notice in July that using cedi banknotes for decorations is barred under the Currency Act, and that warned offences could lead to fines or imprisonment.

"This practice constitutes improper use of the currency and is a violation of the law," Dinah Bonzi, head of the statistics office at the central bank's Currency Management Department, told AFP.

"We need to respect the Ghana cedi as a legal tender. Anyone found culpable of misusing or abusing it will be dealt with," Bonzi added.

The arrests have unsettled small businesses that have built a market around money bouquets.

Sandra Smith, a pseudonym for a bouquet maker who has sold the products at university graduation ceremonies for five years, urged the authorities to be lenient.

"The bouquets add colour and flavour to such occasions, and right after the recipients take out the money and use it," Smith said.

"I feel the authorities are going too far to arrest innocent young ladies who are finding means to create jobs for themselves."

The central bank had previously warned against spraying cash at events, making decorations from banknotes, stepping on currency and writing on or altering notes.

The Bank of Ghana said enforcement against the misuse of the national currency will continue.